Checking My Heart

It was one of those mornings. My intentions were good, the desire was there, I was ready.
Ready to study, consider, pray, prepare. Ready to talk to God about my joys and my messiness, share my gratitude and listen for direction.

And yet, the distractions came like the thunder shouts outside.
I heard mom in the other room and I got up to check on her.
Then I got cold and wanted a blanket on my lap.
Then I got too hot and had to crack open the window.
Then I worried that the rain would dampen the sill.
Then I remembered something to add to my to-do list.
Up and down and back and forth.

And it seemed that the busier I got – the more I moved around – the more energy my body generated and the more restless I got in the rocking chair. My mind was getting busier and my body was following the lead.

And it all started from one small, insignificant distraction…Get up and check on something.

It’s harder some days than others to be…to sit.
When you are a doer by nature, activity = accomplishment = got a lot done today. And that’s the grand prize, right?

Hmmm…maybe not.
What is more important in life is who we are. Not what we do.
(Easy to say and write…not so easy to grasp and embrace.)

Who we are comes from within. From what we believe and value—living in alignment with them. And that means I need to take time to quiet myself and figure out what’s going on inside…to make sure my heart and my soul are connected to The One Who Loves Me Most. The wisdom from the Proverb reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Life is filled with choices.
I’m learning to stop getting up and checking on the external world when I need to be sitting quietly, checking on my inside world.

Meditating = peaceful heart = a rich, full life.